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Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

By Jon Pressick

When I look back on my own sexual development, I can say, unashamed and unequivocally, that pornography played a major role in shaping my identity. Since the early 80’s, porn has been an industry of staggering growth, and since that’s when I was growing up, I feel like I was right along for the ride. My earliest experiences were finding discarded magazines, tattered and puckered from rain, but those finds were masturbatory treasures and cherished. As I got older and bolder, I became quite nimble at stealing XXX magazines and videocassettes. Because I’ve been highly sexual from an early age, my appetite was insatiable, and I did this for years.

I tried to get my hands on all kinds of porn. Whatever I could find: big breasts, older, celebrities…if there was a magazine devoted to a fetish, then I usually had at least one copy. I wanted to experience everything. And I was definitely taking note of the new things I liked to see and what got me off.

One day I was in a convenience store, staking out which mags I was going to take. I spied a Playgirl. This gave me pause for thought…but in an instant I grabbed it and headed to my secret porn lair (which was in the woods!) Once there I began checking out my stash and getting hard as a rock. When I got to the Playgirl, I paused again. What had made me think to grab it this time? As my porn collection grew, I noticed the male models in the photosets more and more. I was taking notice of their bodies and their interaction with the female models. I had previously been fixated on just the sex the two were having, but now I was starting to look at just the men. And I was definitely looking right at their cocks.

Needless to say, that Playgirl got well used that day, and many other days after that. At the time (and I’m thinking I was about 15 years old then), I had no concept of bisexual tendencies or feelings—those realizations came a few years later. But from then on, when checking out magazines (I did eventually stop stealing them), or porn on VHS—which soon became my favourite media (real life people fucking in front of me!)—I definitely took notice of both the male and female actors. Eventually I also got into gay porn as well.

I don’t think I’m alone in this sort of sexual progression. Pornography has been around for centuries, of course, from cave paintings to sexual poetry of the Renaissance to some of the first photographs and motion pictures. But it wasn’t until the 60’s and 70’s, after the Sexual Revolution, that it became something so commonplace as to be found in most Mom-and-Pop shops. So my guess is that plenty of people of my age grew up with porn. I’m also guessing that there are others like me who started to explore their sexual identity through porn, and who, like me, started to feel a bit of a void in the porn industry. Once I figured out that I wanted to see some hot bisexual action, I wondered ‘just where do you go to find some?’

Mainstream porn took off in the 70’s with the release of Deep Throat. That film, and other groundbreakers of the day, introduced audiences to women fucking women, but any man-on-man action was still strictly off-limits. Those “bisexual” women scenes were clearly intended for a heterosexual audience and were usually exploitative. It wasn’t until the mid-80’s, after gay feature films had made their mark in the industry, that films featuring bisexual content—both girl/girl AND guy/guy—started being released.

This movement in the porn industry is directly related to rising social awareness of queer people in general and specifically “the bisexual.” Producers were simply trying to cash in on this “new”, untapped social market.

Alex, a representative from Heatwave Video told me a bit about his company’s bisexual porn division. Heatwave “specializes in Black and ethnic themed boy/girl videos. We also have black and white gay films, as well as niche markets such as shemale, MILTF, midgets, pregnant, fat, lactating, anal, big tit, and cream pie.” Their bisexual films account for approximately 5% of their overall sales. When it comes to bisexual films, they buy content and then repackage it into such titles as: Bi Scream, Bi Bi Love, Bi Exam, etc. “Productions shot in Brazil,” Alex relates, “have consistently been better than our other bisex content shot in the US. Better and younger-looking talent, more into their performance.” It is has been, and should continue to be, a steady market for Heatwave.

Now, I’m going to presume that most people here have seen at least one pornographic movie in their time. If you have, you’ll agree that porn is certainly not the pinnacle of filmmaking. However, for whatever reason, bisexual porn films have always been even lesser lights in the adult entertainment universe. Frankly, many of them are terrible. Cory Silverberg of Come As You Are, a sex shop in Toronto, Canada tells me “the one thing that defines almost all bisexual porn is mediocrity. Directors just don't seem to know what to do with bi-sex, and even though many of the performers are bi or queer in their personal lives/identities, bi-sex in porn tends to be VERY dry (literally and figuratively), uninspired, awkward, and just plain boring.” Typically, bisexual porn films are extremely low-budget, which results in poor lighting, poor sound and bad editing. Also, since it is a less popular genre, it seems that it probably gets directors from either the gay or straight porn worlds. As a result, you get films that don’t seem to know where they’re going. The camera work is disjointed and clumsy. Some potentially sexy action is lost.

When asked about who rents these films, Cory offers an interesting perspective: “In my experience, customers who come into the store, and identify themselves as bisexual tend to be a bit more open to watching all kinds of porn. Maybe this is because they already know that most ‘‘bi porn’, that is porn marketed as bi, is bad, so they have been forced to broaden their interests...”

Don’t get me wrong! I’m not trying to turn you off bisexual porn flicks here! Consider these words more of a caveat, especially now a-days when there are pornos out there that are incorporating special effects and much bigger budgets. I heartily encourage people to explore pornography to its fullest. And as an, ummm, journalistic courtesy, I thought it best to head out to a couple local video stores to check out what I could find on the bisexual porn shelves.

My partner and I visited Come As You Are and our local video store, which happens to be in the heart of Toronto’s gay village. We picked out five titles. We specifically avoided any movies that looked to be “compilation” films, i.e., just a bunch of random porn clips thrown together on a DVD. We came away with the following titles:

Bi-American: The premise here is a diner in the 50’s that has in its employ some pretty sex-crazed girls. They get it on together in an ‘ let’s experiment!’ sort of way, but one also encourages her boyfriend to get it on with another guy. The sex scene progression is interesting here, because they present sex in this order: ff, mm, ffm, mmf, and then mf. More often in bisexual porn, the story calls for heterosexual people to be a bit bi-curious, and they then eventually move into same sex experience. Bi-American had fun sets and fun sex, so I’d check this one out.

Miss Dixie’s Military Sex Parties: I found this in the bi section, but it really shouldn’t have been there. And it’s a really terrible movie anyway. Basically, Dixie is this just-turned-18 Harvard girl who is convincing military men to sleep with her and her bisexual boyfriend. The only bi-sex action is when the boyfriend does, what seems to be, a bit of gratuitous cock sucking in every scene. And its not as if the rest of the scenes are any kind of saviour. Dixie doesn’t look like she wants to be there at all, and the actual sex scenes are so dull and boring and entirely quiet. Can we at least get one moan out of any of you? Avoid this for sure.

Goosed: A Bisexual Fable: This one is worth renting based on the comedy alone. Actually, the comedy is about the only good reason to rent it. The sex, or more specifically, the filming of the sex is quite bad. In this film, I clearly got the impression that these were gay male actors having to fuck women, and they clearly don’t look like they’re enjoying themselves. Add to that terrible camera angles and bad lighting and I certainly wasn’t reaching for my cock or my partner. However, Chi Chi LaRue, a legend in the porn industry is very funny, and you have to see Little Bo Peep and her sheep.

Slide Bi Me: I was most looking forward to this film, as it was produced by the crew at Good Vibrations, the renowned, outstanding sex and education store. I thought, “If anyone can make a sexy and responsible porno, those folks can.” I guess, in some ways, they did. This film features a nice mix of body types, and does feature a wide variety of sex acts without any exploitation, and some scenes are fairly hot. However, it also features a clichéd and ridiculous plot, and the same terrible camera angles that plague so many other bisexual XXX films. I’m sure many will find some sexiness in this film, so I won’t say don’t rent it, but don’t think its going to be any better than the norm, just because it comes from some highly-educated people.

Bi-Curious: Maybe it was because I’d been fairly disappointed in the rest of them, and that we watched this one last, but this film was the sexiest of all for me. It had an intriguing plot: a lesbian and gay man are roommates, and each finds themselves fantasizing about getting it on with the opposite sex. This is an intriguing twist from the norm. Bi-Curious also featured the best production values of all, and seriously, it makes such a difference when you can actually see and hear hot sex. I’d definitely watch that again, on my own and jerking off, or while fucking my partner.

The golden rule of pornography is “different strokes for different folks” and maybe you’d see these films in a completely different light. In fact, I hope you do! I hope you’re out there watching with your friends, partners or on your own and I hope you’re having great experiences.

Porn on film will always hold a special place for me. Not only is seeing long, uninterrupted sex on my television very hot, but just the act of going to the video store gets my motor going. At this point, who knows how long this medium will continue. Internet porn has to be breathing down its neck (watch for an article on bisexual internet porn here, very soon), and is more readily available for everyone. I don’t know about you though, but relaxing on my couch, both hands free of the computer mouse is by far the way to go.

(c) Copryight 2006 Jon Pressick

Jon Pressick is the feature article editor for Bisexual.com when he manages to get both hands free.

He is also the publisher of TRADE: Queer Things and a past contributor to Xtra!, Gaiety, Broken Pencil, Women’s Post and Quill and Quire.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

I must agree that the author sums up porn and in particular bi porn quite well. Its unfortunate that bi-porn hasn't come along as well as mainstream has but I'm hopeful that as bi folks make thier presence felt that this genre will improve. The brazilian films are good but I do enjoy some dialogue, so this is hard to do when you don't understand Portugese. And most of the recent english video's seem to be all compilations. In any event I will look for the recommended titles and hope to hear from others that may be able to suggest some to look for...

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

Thanks Jon for another great article!!

Looking back on my own sexual journey I would have to agree on the impact porn has had on my own explorations. My first bisexual experience took place after watching a bunch of 8mm films at what we called a “smoker” in the frat lodge. Talk about grainy, no plot porn! LOL. Even the worse porn in the 80’s would be considered a godsend in comparison. They say you always remember your first time and had it not been for that atmosphere created by all the sexual imagery that night it’s hard to say when or if what resulted into a lifetime of fantasy and eventually into an identity would have taken place.
I was in my last year of college about the time “Deep Throat” made the circuit. I was also writing an adaptation of Aristophanes’ “Lystrata” and wound up showing Deep Throat to a mixed audience of about 20 other classmates along with some films from the Holocaust to demonstrate the difference between pornography and obscenity.
Porn has come along way since those early days but still serves as controversial today as it did then. I was active sexually during the 60’s and 70’s and leaps and bounds were made in what was then termed the “Sexual Revolution.” My first marriage was an open marriage and communal living gave opportunity and potential to explore multiple sex partners without all the hang-ups. Swinging was in it’s early stages and people began to liberate themselves from what had been for years an oppressive narrow-minded more conservative take on sexuality in general. Nudism had been around for years but for many of us that explored nudism, we soon found that nudism as a lifestyle and sexuality had only the absence of clothing in common.
Porn taught us that there was a hell of a lot more to sex than the missionary position. I likewise began to check out both male and female actors and found gay porn to be the forbidden fruit of my hetero upbringing but undeniably arousing something inside of me that demanded exploration.
Bisexuality I feel is in its infancy both in terms of understanding, and acceptance. Our numbers grow day by day. From my limited view point, I hear of those making the transition from Heterosexual to Bisexual, and some that transition from Homosexual to Bisexual but very few that transition back. How do we interpret that?
LOL as a sidenote, with all the advances in technology you would have thought a hands-free device would be common place by now.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

I think that the article serves as both a good review of some of the films out there and an even better commentary on the sad state of bi porn. I cannot count how many times my wife and I have gone to various adult video stores in the Tampa Bay area looking for a good bi movie to bring home only to walk away disappointed. We find porn to be a great compliment, a mood setter, to our sex life. So its frustrating that after spending what seems like an inordinate amount of time in the store, trying to separate the wheat from the chaff so to speak, that what we bring home is still disappointing. One woudl think that with our every expanding demographic that more production crews would decide to get into the genere and allocate the resources to make a great film. Then again who am I kidding, seems like both the straight and gay communities continue to hold us in disdain. Oh well, maybe we need to make some home movies :D

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

When I was in Paris around 15 years ago with my wife, we passed a cinema advertising films 'd'une nature pornographique'. My wife didn't want to go but I went solo that evening. There were two films adding up to around 3 hours' worth. One purported to be set in Roman times, the other modern. All the sex was hetero but there were plenty of luscious pics of hard pricks stretching right across the screen. These were right up my street as prick is my favourite thing. The hetero storyline in both cases consisted of the attempt to get the main couples, after much conventional fucking, to go anal, the woman protesting until near the end before finally yielding.
My own taste is for frontal fucking with my wife and genital play of varied non-anal types with my male partners; the films did nothing to convert me.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

I've watched quite a few of them.

Lots of the comments run along the same lines as mine.

For film quality, minimal dialogue, film location, great looking gals and guys, and lots of very erotic and volcanic bi sex, with both sexes, unequivocably hands down, the best Bi film was and still is Mass Appeal IMHO.

If you've never seen it or watched it, check it out. You will be pleasantly surprised.

For any of those who have been disappointed with the others, this will become your favorite.

Re: right on

Originally Posted by bi-dex

I come from a very traditional family. Pornography was the only quick and easy and readily accessible form of exploration for sex outside of the traditional use for sex.

What does the family have to do with it?
I didn't do any 'exploration for sex' with my family, and I find it hard to imagine that many people do (although I expect there will be some pro-incest people to say otherwise).

Re: right on

Originally Posted by MintyFresh

What does the family have to do with it?
I didn't do any 'exploration for sex' with my family, and I find it hard to imagine that many people do (although I expect there will be some pro-incest people to say otherwise).

Not that I want get stuck between you, MintyFresh, and bi-dex, but in bi-dex's defense... I didn't read his post that way at all - I don't think he was making reference to incest in any way. I understood the post as saying that because he was raised in a conservative family, there wasn't much in the way of opportunities for sex education, discussion and practice (because sex before marriage was discouraged, and even masturbation may have been discouraged), unlike in more open or liberal environments, so pornography filled the void and became a main tool of sex education and exploration.

I think many folks raised in traditional, ie conservative, environments find themselves in that kind of situation.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

I'm happy that I can walk into any sex store and many video/adult video stores and buy or rent any sort of movie I want. I very much appreciate a better quality production and do miss some of the classics. The newest products are largely hyperbola and some bad ideas of soundtrack experimentation on my head. I mute the sound any play my own sounds. The actors..? Well, I would love to be a stand in for some of the more strenuous stunts. ha ha ha!

"Insecurity and excuses are not sexy (or rational) but creativity and experimentation are."- S. Creede

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

Everyone here seems to agree that most of the bi porn out there sucks, I personally don't watch much porn myself, and actually don't believe I've ever even seen a bi porn but what would make a hot bi movie?

Re: right on

Originally Posted by Drew

Not that I want get stuck between you, MintyFresh, and bi-dex, but in bi-dex's defense... I didn't read his post that way at all - I don't think he was making reference to incest in any way. I understood the post as saying that because he was raised in a conservative family, there wasn't much in the way of opportunities for sex education, discussion and practice (because sex before marriage was discouraged, and even masturbation may have been discouraged), unlike in more open or liberal environments, so pornography filled the void and became a main tool of sex education and exploration.

I think many folks raised in traditional, ie conservative, environments find themselves in that kind of situation.

- Drew

No defence needed - it wasn't an attack! I was just questioning that people learn about sex from their families. Obviously they're likely to be the first place kids go to ask about where babies come from, but if the parents are too embarassed to talk about it, there are plenty of other options - friends, books, etc. - these days the internet. School sex ed. (although in some countries don't single-religion schools have an opt-out clause?) gets the basics across.

I certainly didn't find out about different sexualities and sexual behaviours from my parents, and I don't think that many people do. I'd be interested to know how many people here do 'discuss' or 'practice' sex with their families, conservative or liberal. Mine were pretty liberal but I would never have dreamed of talking to my mum about the ins and outs of lesbian sex, for instance. Not because I thought it'd offend her, just because what I did (or wanted to do) in my bedroom was none of her business.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

Can't say tht I've seen any 'bi' porn films but I have seen M/M, M/F and F/F porn on various occasions and I found all of these to be either quite dull or quite amusing (the funniest moment was in a gay porn film I saw recently, it was set in an office and the manager goes up to his workers and says: "Right lads, bum inspection"... It was just the way the line was spoken that had me creasing up with laughter.... I think the bloke who I was watching it with also found it quite funny ). But no, I can imagine that 'Bi' films which are basically just clips from straight and gay porn crudely edited together would be quite dull but some of the storylines of the films in the article sound interesting (the one in the 50s diner and the one involving the gay man and the lesbian living together) but they are probably sold mainly in Canada/America and probably aren't for sale in the UK (and if they are then they're probs about £40 each or somthing and subject to [relatively] strict BBFC censorship although from the sound of the films, they'd probs get past the censors uncut anyway).

Izzfan

"World out of balance
World without end
We are not afraid
Let the night come..."

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

The wife and I started going to porn theaters when she was 16 and I was 18. We enjoy watching people have sex regardless of whether it is bi, straight or gay. We tend to think that most of what is coming out today tends to bore more than entertain. The action in the audience tends to be more fun than what is showing on the screen. There are amateur bi movies that are better than commercial ones.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

Originally Posted by wyldguy

I've watched quite a few of them.

Lots of the comments run along the same lines as mine.

For film quality, minimal dialogue, film location, great looking gals and guys, and lots of very erotic and volcanic bi sex, with both sexes, unequivocably hands down, the best Bi film was and still is Mass Appeal IMHO.

If you've never seen it or watched it, check it out. You will be pleasantly surprised.

For any of those who have been disappointed with the others, this will become your favorite.

I totally agree!!! I love Mass Appeal. It had a great mix of bi, gay, and str8 play in it. And it also has some big name porn stars too. The second one isn't too bad either.

Re: right on

Originally Posted by MintyFresh

What does the family have to do with it?
I didn't do any 'exploration for sex' with my family, and I find it hard to imagine that many people do (although I expect there will be some pro-incest people to say otherwise).

I'm confused... where did he say anything even remotely like "after i did my mom, my dad, three brothers, 15 cousins, an the family dog i got into watching porn"?? lol!!

Re: right on

Originally Posted by MintyFresh

No defence needed - it wasn't an attack! I was just questioning that people learn about sex from their families. Obviously they're likely to be the first place kids go to ask about where babies come from, but if the parents are too embarassed to talk about it, there are plenty of other options - friends, books, etc. - these days the internet. School sex ed. (although in some countries don't single-religion schools have an opt-out clause?) gets the basics across.

I certainly didn't find out about different sexualities and sexual behaviours from my parents, and I don't think that many people do. I'd be interested to know how many people here do 'discuss' or 'practice' sex with their families, conservative or liberal. Mine were pretty liberal but I would never have dreamed of talking to my mum about the ins and outs of lesbian sex, for instance. Not because I thought it'd offend her, just because what I did (or wanted to do) in my bedroom was none of her business.

Just as your mom kept the door closed on you about sex too huh? and just as you live a liberal life too?

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

I Luv Porn!

Bi-Gay-Les-Straight Whatever...cheezy...well done or not so well done. They all incompass my favorites: sex-the expression of ones own sexaulity, real or acted out-passion-creativity-play-movies-intimacy.
Oh and popcorn(kettle or butter whatever I am open).

QUESTION: Ultimate porn would be a production of Anai Nin's short stories or otherwise, Elena if you have read it.
Does any one know if that has been produced?

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

I have not yet tried"bi"porn. Truthfully I am spoiled I can't stand the badly done over cheesed porn, I love the arty porn, like Shock. Though my hubby and I watch porn, we watch one actress in particular, she is not my typical type, but she is hot, and well she is bi. But it is hard to rent her flicks and they are not cheap to purchase, so we have rented some good ones and some real bad ones. The ones that kill me are supposed to the the lesbian porn that you can tell has been made by men because they have not clue.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

First, I am associated with the adult film industry through our publishing company, so i deal directly with the various film compnaies and the adult stars and performers......
I can tell you that I have asked several of the bigger companies why they don't do "bi" films as there is always a girl/girl scene added in just about every film.....Their answer is....They have thought about it, would like to do it, but none of the male stars are willing to take the chance and possibly ruining their fan base or more opportunity to work....They do realize that bi sex with men is becoming more accepted and is totally different from the gay lifestyle.......One of the major companies, has a script ready to go and if they can find a couple of current male stars willing to do bi scenes they will go ahead with the production.......So I think it's just a waiting game for now with the bigger companies......
As for an all girl bi film to see, there is a brand new one just out that was written and directed by a woman, Stormy Daniels, and she stars in it as well. It's called "The Predator" by Wicked Pictures is is a very well done movie with very good production values, good scenes and some very hot bi sex...and there are no male performers in the film at all.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

The state of bi porn is sad. I'll walk into a porn store to preview a movie and I look at the bi porn but always end up choosing a straight porn. The author summed it up perfectly....it's just not hot. The guys always seem to not be interested in the girls and the girls just seem awkward and out of place. No one seems to be enjoying themselves. I can't say for certain that most of the women in straight porn are enjoying themselves either, but they act the part, and there's no doubt the guys are having a good time.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

Quality porn (or erotica) is hard to find regardless: bi, gay or straight. I have only found four movies (and this after 30 years) that were worth watching for more than two minutes. The worst ones are where even the actors look bored.

Were any of those four movies bi? No.

Part of the problem is that the industry is (for the most part) money driven. Not much room for artistic inspiration or expression in an environment like that.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

Only four in 30 years? Hmmmmmm, would love to know what those four were that you saw.........
I have been writing about, critiquing and review adult filmsfor more than 15 years and I can sure come up with a lot more than fours that are production driven, have a plot, story line, special effects, real locales, plenty of action and some very very good hardcore sex scenes as well....
As for male bi films or male bi scenes in straight adult films, I will say what I said earlier, the companies know there is a market, the problem is none of the top male porn stars are willing to take the gamble of being ina bi scene, plain and simple......Like anything else, when one of the male actors becomes the first to cross over that barrier, others will follow.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

I have a small collection of Bi porn.
Some older ones on vhs and the newer ones on dvd.
My selection criteria is as follows:
Must be MMF at a minimum and it must be english speaking.
I escpecially like ones with lots of verbal feedback.
They are hard to find.
Some of my favorites are by Paul Norman.
Great stuff.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

I watched both Mass Appeal movies and I have to admit.. I was super bored. My favorite BI movie will always be The Mile-BI Club. Chi CHi LaRue is doing wonderful things to Gay, Lesbian and BI films. She took the "Where The Boys Aren't" series to an entirely new level.

Re: Pass the Popcorn and the Pleasure: Bisexual Pornographic Films

Originally Posted by lashalane

I watched both Mass Appeal movies and I have to admit.. I was super bored. My favorite BI movie will always be The Mile-BI Club. Chi CHi LaRue is doing wonderful things to Gay, Lesbian and BI films. She took the "Where The Boys Aren't" series to an entirely new level.

I really wish BELLADONNA would start producing BI films.

I should watch Ken Ryker's Mass Appeal movies. Are they any good?

I saw a 1980s bi porn called Paul Norman's Bi and Beyond and it wasn't that good at all.